Card Game Suitable for Casino Play

ABSTRACT

A system and method for playing a card game is provided. An embodiment for play in a casino using a standard deck of cards comprises allowing a player to place an ante bet and receiving three cards. The player may optionally elect to pay a draw fee to discard a card and receive a new, replacement card. The player, after reviewing the player&#39;s cards, elects to play or fold. If the player elects to fold, the dealer collects the ante bet and the player&#39;s cards. If, however, the player elects to play, the player places a play bet. Thereafter, the dealer reveals the dealer&#39;s cards. Optionally, the dealer may also elect to draw a card. After the hands are finalized, a determination is made regarding whether the player has a winning hand. In an embodiment, the player&#39;s play bet is paid according to a predetermined pay table, and the ante bet is paid a set amount, such as 1-to-1. In another embodiment, the dealer must have a qualifying hand for the player to be paid on the ante bet.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/735,763 filed on Nov. 12, 2005, entitled “Texas Super Draw,” which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for playing games of pleasure, and more particularly to a system and method for a table or video card game.

BACKGROUND

Generally, casinos provide a variety of games for gamblers to wager. The more popular games include Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, Poker and its variations, Keno, Baccarat, Roulette, and Craps. Despite the familiarity of these games, gamblers, particularly the regulars, frequently tire of playing the same old games. As a result, gamblers may tend to become disinterested or gamble less.

Accordingly, casinos are frequently looking for new games to offer to its clientele. New games should be easy to understand, interesting, and allow for a high rate of card play for both regular gamblers and the average person on vacation. One particular concern for casinos is that the average person on vacation may or may not have a familiarity with many of the wagering games. This average person is likely to be unwilling to sit down for an extended period of time to learn a new game. Rather, the average person is more interested in the social interaction that comes with casino gambling and the possibility of winning.

Examples of new games that have been introduced in the past include Caribbean Stud™, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,553, issued to Suttle, et al., and Let It Ride™, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081, issued to Breeding. These games have had considerable success and are characterized by simple to understand rules and a fast rate of play. The games also allow the gamblers to interact within a social environment.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing a card game suitable for casino play in multiple formats, such as at a table, a video terminal, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other problems are generally solved or circumvented, and technical advantages are generally achieved, by preferred embodiments of the present invention which provides a system and method for a table or video card game.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for playing a card game is provided. The card game comprises dealing three cards to a dealer and one or more players that have placed an ante bet. The players are provided an option of paying an amount to discard one card and receiving a replacement card. The players then decide to fold or play. If a player folds, the dealer collects the ante bet. If the player decides to play, the player pays a play bet. Thereafter, the dealer reveals the dealer's cards and, optionally, replaces a card. If the dealer has a better hand, then the dealer collects the player's ante and play bet. Otherwise, the dealer pays the ante bet and the play bet according to a predetermined pay out.

In an embodiment, the play bet is paid according to predetermined pay-out table.

In another embodiment, the ante bet is paid a fixed amount, such as 1-to-1 or 2-to-1. In yet another embodiment, the ante bet is only paid if the dealer's hand is a qualifying hand.

In accordance with another embodiment, a computer system and a video terminal are provided that allow a player to play a virtual card game via the video terminal.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a table layout that may be used to play a card game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a table layout that may be used to play a card game in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are data flow diagrams illustrating the process used to play a card game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of an electronic game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

The present invention will be described with respect to preferred embodiments in a specific context, namely a casino card game. The invention may also be applied, however, to other individual or group video games on video poker-style machines, PDAs, mobile units, laptop computers, desktop computers, or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown a table layout 100 that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention. The table layout 100 comprises six player positions each with an ante circle 110, a play circle 112, a draw circle 114, a discard rectangle 116, and a dealt card rectangle 118. Additionally, the table layout 100 includes a first dealer card rectangle 120, a second dealer card rectangle 122, and a third dealer card rectangle 124.

FIG. 2 illustrates a table layout 200 in another embodiment of the present invention. Table layout 200 is similar to table layout 100 of FIG. 1, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, except that the discard rectangle 116 and the dealt card rectangle 118 for each player are omitted and the other items have been reorganized. Also illustrated on FIG. 2 is a payout table, generally referred to by reference numeral 210. It should be noted that the payout table 210 indicates only one possible payout table and that the hands and values may be altered to achieve a different expected payout.

It should also be noted that the table layouts 100 and 200 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided for illustrative purposes only and that embodiments of the present invention may be utilized with many different table designs and layouts.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are data flow diagrams illustrating a flow of a card game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The game begins in step 310, wherein a dealer shuffles one or more decks of cards. In one embodiment, the deck of cards is shuffled after each hand. Therefore, because each hand utilizes at most 4 cards for each of 6 players and one dealer (for a total of 28 cards) it is not necessary to utilize more than one deck of cards. In other embodiments, however, one or more decks may be desired.

In step 312, each player makes an ante bet by, for example, placing a chip, money, or other marker in the ante circle 110.

Steps 314 and 316 represent two optional steps. The first step, step 314, represents that the dealer may optionally bury one or more cards by taking one or more cards from the top of the deck and placing them on the bottom of the deck, in the deck, or in a discard pile. The second step, step 316, represents that the dealer may cut the deck or allow someone else (e.g., a player) to cut the deck. The deck may be cut by removing a portion of the deck for the dealer to place on the bottom, or by placing a colored card or other indicator into the deck to indicate to the dealer where the deck is to be cut.

Thereafter, a dealer deals a first number of cards to each player as indicated by reference numeral 318. In a preferred embodiment, three cards are dealt to each player. Each player in turn then decides if he wants to “stand pat” (draw no cards) or draw one or more cards as indicated at step 320.

If, in step 320, the player decides to draw one or more cards, then processing proceeds to step 322, wherein the player places a draw fee on the draw circle 114 and discards the unwanted cards by, for example, placing the unwanted cards on the discard rectangle 116. In step 324, the dealer provides the player with replacement cards for the discarded cards. In a preferred embodiment, each player can opt to draw a single card.

If in step 320 the player decides to not to draw one or more cards or after the dealer provides replacement cards in step 324, then processing proceeds to step 326, wherein the player determines whether or not to continue. If the player decides not to continue, then the player forfeits the ante bet and the dealer collects the player's cards as indicated in step 328. If, however, the player decides to continue, the player places a play bet on the play circle 112 as indicated at step 330.

After all players have acted, the dealer turns his cards over to review his hand as indicated in step 332. Optionally, the dealer may have the option of drawing one or more cards as illustrated in step 334. In a preferred embodiment, the dealer is given the option of drawing a single card if the dealer is not dealt a pat hand. For example, in an embodiment a dealer has a pat hand if the dealer has a three-card straight, three-card flush, or three-of-a-kind. If the dealer does not have one of these pat hands, the dealer draws to three-of-a-kind if the dealer has a pair or discards the lowest card if the dealer does not have a pair. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the dealer discards the lowest card regardless of straight or flush possibilities.

In other embodiments, however, the dealer may draw to other hands. For example, in another embodiment, the dealer draws to a hand in the following order: if the dealer holds a pair, then the dealer draws to trips; if the dealer has two cards of the same suit, then the dealer draws to a flush; if the dealer has two sequential cards, then the dealer draws to a straight; otherwise, the dealer discards his lowest card and draws to a pair. In yet another embodiment, the dealer may draw to an inside straight.

Finally, in step 336 the dealer determines the payout, if any, due to each player based upon the amount the player wagered. Embodiments of the present invention may be played with or without requiring the dealer to have a qualifying hand. Generally, a qualifying hand is a minimum hand that the dealer must have in order for a player to collect on one or more of the player's bet. For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the dealer must have at least a King-high hand for a player to be paid on the ante bet. If the dealer fails to qualify and the player has a better hand, then the ante bet is returned to the player and the player is paid on the player's play bet according to a pre-determined pay table. If the dealer qualifies and the player has a better hand, then the player is paid on the player's play bet according to a pre-determined pay table and the player is paid on the player's ante bet. The player's ante bet may be paid according to a pre-determined pay table or a set amount, such as 1-to-1, 1-to-2, or the like.

The following table illustrates payouts for a single-card wager that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention. Other payouts, however, may be used. TABLE 1 Hand Type Pay to 1 Straight Flush 15 Three of a Kind 8 Straight 4 Flush 3 Any Pair 1 High Card 1

Thereafter, the process may be repeated to play another hand. As discussed above, the deck of cards may be reshuffled or a plurality of hands may be played from one or more decks between shuffles.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be easily implemented in video poker style machines. For example, one embodiment may allow a player to sit at a computer system having a video display terminal and insert money, tokens, chips, game card, or the like, wherein the computer system executes a series of steps such as those described above with reference to FIGS. 3 a-3 b. The player may then select the type of bet that the player wishes to make and cause the computer system to randomly generate and deal cards. The computer system may then automatically calculate the payout and pay or credit the player the appropriate amount.

One example of a video poker style machine is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein a video poker style machine 400 is illustrated. The video poker style machine 400 comprises a housing 410 that includes a display 412 and data entry buttons 414-422. The display 412 preferably provides a graphical representation of the game as well as any textual or informational messages/instructions to the player. The data entry buttons 414-422 include, for example, discard buttons 414, an ante button 416, a draw button 418, a play button 420, and a fold button 422. In an embodiment, the ante button 416, the draw button 418, and the play button 420 may each be depressed one or more times to increment/decrement the respective values by set amounts. The discard buttons 414, in combination with the draw button 418, may be used to discard one or more cards and draw a new replacement card. Preferably, a processor 424 is enclosed within the housing 410 and is communicatively coupled to the data entry buttons 414-422 and the display 412. The processor 424 may be any suitable general purpose or specific purpose processor suitable for accepting various inputs, such as those described above, and generating a display responsive to those inputs.

One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the embodiment described above is a simplified description and that other elements may be required and/or desired. For example, power supplies, video drivers, replacing one or more of the ante button, draw button, play button, fold button, and discard buttons with multiple buttons, and the like may be used within the scope of the present invention.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, payout schedules, table layouts, bets, and the like may be altered to offer players variations of embodiments of the present invention while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

1. A method for playing a card game, the method comprising: receiving an ante bet from a player; dealing three cards to the player and a dealer, the player having a player hand and the dealer having a dealer hand; replacing one or more cards from the player hand with an equal number of player replacement cards when the player pays a draw fee; receiving a play bet from the player; replacing one or more cards of the dealer hand with an equal number of dealer replacement cards upon determining the dealer does not have a pat hand; determining whether the player hand is better than the dealer hand; upon determining that the player hand is better than the dealer hand, paying a first amount to the player; and upon determining that the dealer hand is better than the player hand, collecting the ante bet and the play bet from the player.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining if the dealer hand is a qualifying hand.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first amount includes paying 1-to-1 on the ante bet if the dealer hand is a qualifying hand.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first amount does not include an amount paid on the ante bet if the dealer hand is not a qualifying hand.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first amount includes paying the play bet according to a predetermined pay table.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined pay table comprises paying 15-to-1 for a straight flush, 8-to-1 for a three of a kind, 4-to-1 for a straight, 3-to-1 for a flush, 1-to-1 for any pair, and 1-to-1 for a high card.
 7. An apparatus for playing a card game, the apparatus comprising: a computer system; a video display terminal communicatively coupled to the computer system; wherein the computer system is configured to perform the steps: receiving an ante bet from a player; dealing three cards to the player and a dealer, the player having a player hand and the dealer having a dealer hand; replacing one or more cards from the player hand with an equal number of player replacement cards upon receiving a draw fee from the player; receiving a play bet from the player; replacing one or more cards of the dealer hand with an equal number of dealer replacement cards upon determining the dealer does not have a pat hand; determining whether the player hand is better than the dealer hand; upon determining that the player hand is better than the dealer hand, paying a first amount to the player; and upon determining that the dealer hand is better than the player hand, collecting the ante bet and the play bet from the player.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the computer system is further configured to perform the step determining if the dealer hand is a qualifying hand.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first amount includes paying 1-to-1 on the ante bet if the dealer hand is a qualifying hand.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first amount does not include an amount paid on the ante bet if the dealer hand is not a qualifying hand.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first amount includes paying the play bet according to a predetermined pay table.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the predetermined pay table comprises paying 15-to-1 for a straight flush, 8-to-1 for a three of a kind, 4-to-1 for a straight, 3-to-1 for a flush, 1-to-1 for any pair, and 1-to-1 for a high card.
 13. A computer program product for playing a card game, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program product comprising: computer program code for receiving an ante bet from a player; computer program code for dealing three cards to the player and a dealer, the player having a player hand and the dealer having a dealer hand; computer program code for replacing one or more cards from the player hand with an equal number of player replacement cards upon receiving a draw fee from the player; computer program code for receiving a play bet from the player; computer program code for replacing one or more cards of the dealer hand with an equal number of dealer replacement cards upon determining the dealer does not have a pat hand; computer program code for determining whether the player hand is better than the dealer hand; computer program code for upon determining that the player hand is better than the dealer hand, paying a first amount to the player; and computer program code for upon determining that the dealer hand is better than the player hand, collecting the ante bet and the play bet from the player.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the computer system is further configured to perform the step determining if the dealer hand is a qualifying hand.
 15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the first amount includes paying 1-to-1 on the ante bet if the dealer hand is a qualifying hand.
 16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the first amount does not include an amount paid on the ante bet if the dealer hand is not a qualifying hand.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the first amount includes paying the play bet according to a predetermined pay table.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the predetermined pay table comprises paying 15-to-1 for a straight flush, 8-to-1 for a three of a kind, 4-to-1 for a straight, 3-to-1 for a flush, 1-to-1 for any pair, and 1-to-1 for a high card. 